“In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since. ‘Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone,’ he told me, ‘just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.’”, and so begins Nick Caraway’s tale of love and betrayal in Fitzgerald’s timeless novel, The Great Gatsby. Set in the roaring 20’s, Gatsby reveals the nature of the era filled with bootlegged liquor, immense wealth, and toxic lifestyles.

The story is based around Jay Gatsby, a wealthy man with a mysterious and unknown past, and his undying love for high class girl Daisy Buchannan. Jay Gatsby has spent his whole life chasing after Daisy but there are several things keeping him away. First Daisy has a husband named Tom Buchannan, he is extremely possessive and although he has an affair, Tom won’t give up Daisy without a fight. Second, they both belong to different classes, causing public disapproval of the two distraught lovers. There are more twists and turns that provide an excellent read throughout the book.

Setting varies from hotels, to parks, or even a beat down garage in the outskirts of town. Each area plays a huge role in the tone of the story and its significance is immense. Dr. TJ Eckleburg’s eyes are the greatest example because of the ever conscious fact that someone somewhere knows all your dark secrets, and in Gatsby’s world everything isn’t as it seems. The greatest setting though is not where, but when. Set in the 1920’s Fitzgerald paints a beautiful era in American history. The book exudes a feeling of living fast and reckless in an era where men and women were beginning to test the boundaries of society and explore beyond what they were told there was to life.

Although Gatsby shines as beautiful literature there are two significant things that hold it back from being a perfect book. First, Fitzgerald spends too much time building up the book. For the first couple of chapters you are treated to side stories and the thoughts of Nick Caraway instead of diving into the great plot. Secondly, Fitzgerald spends a lot of his time describing people and surroundings. This is really great at moments when he builds it up to a point leading to the plot, but this isn’t the case in most areas. This happens especially at the beginning and is part of the reason why the beginning is a major downfall for The Great Gatsby.

Overall Gatsby is a wonderful book that will entertain the avid reader and continue to do so for generations. If you can overlook its small flaws and focus on the plot you’ll find a tragic love story painted masterfully by Mr. Fitzgerald. Be sure to catch the movie adaptation directed by Baz Luhrmann, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire, coming out in theatres on Christmas day.